American Idol news - Mariah Carey as a judge

[KikiSashaFan]

Simon tried to vote Kelly Clarkson OFF on the first day of Hollywood. That would have sucked.

[puglover]

I wonder what they are paying Jimmy Iovine. His costume/hair requirements seem modest, he actually works with the talent, takes ownership when some of his suggestions don't pan out as he planned, and IMHO gave praise and criticism that was coherent and understandable. I say - more Jimmy!

[BigB08822]

I agree. Jimmy has been great and I have wondered why they havent moved him into the role. Maybe he doesn't want to be so tied down to the show? He only has to do the live episodes as it is while the judges have to go out on all the audition stops and do Hollywood rounds, Vegas, etc. etc. etc. They have MUCH more to do and he may not have the time or want to dedicate the time. Plus they have to go out and do promotion stops and I don't think I have ever seen Jimmy be a part of those. He has it easy, really.

[Allskate]

I think that both Bette Midler and Brad Paisley could be good. They both have entertaining personalities and I can't see either of them just saying that the contestants were beautiful.

I don't think they can realistically give Jimmy a bigger role because he owns the record label. If he is a judge and makes his favorites too clear people may wonder why they should bother to vote for his favorites since Jimmy can sign them anyway.

[Meredith]

I don't think they can realistically give Jimmy a bigger role because he owns the record label. If he is a judge and makes his favorites too clear people may wonder why they should bother to vote for his favorites since Jimmy can sign them anyway.

Good point. I read (somewhere) that Jimmy is not interested in participating as a judge, but he didn't mention the conflict of interests judging would entail.

He appears to enjoy his role as a mentor and he's good at it. He's engaged, awake and appears sober. I like that the show has an antidote for the judges; it's frequently needed.

[love_skate2011]

first : American Idol still exists ?
second : another artist long passed her prime only motivated to do the show by money ( hey maybe she'll use it like JLo to rebound ? ), I hate screeching

[taf2002]

Disagree Mariah is past her prime.

[PeterG]

first : American Idol still exists ?

Yes. I believe it is what those in the business call "The Number One Show On Television".

[manhn]

I will probably watch AI next season. I thought she was great as a mentor. I still remember when she was riffing with the guy with the dreads on his take of "I Don't Wanna Cry". Chills, people, chills!

[Dragonlady]

Hopefully she won't be of the "That was beautiful, Sweetie" school of juding. Did JLo EVER say anything helpful or meaningful to any contestant.

As for Mariah's tight clothing, what about JLo's? I have no use for JLo at all and never have, so I'm happy she's gone.

I would like someone to take the Simon role - most of his criticisms were stuff we were thinking at home. Listening to the judges blow smoke up the singers' butts for the past two seasons means that few of the performers showed any development or growth during their time on the show.

[skatesindreams]

I would like someone to take the Simon role - most of his criticisms were stuff we were thinking at home.

This!

[FiveRinger]

I'm going to reserve judgment until I see Mariah on the show. I haven't watched in several seasons, but this intrigues me. Say whatever you want about her tight clothes and the deadpan speaking voice, but Mariah has an incredible singing voice (I don't always like the way the she uses it), perfect pitch, and has been a successful artist, writer, and producer. Twenty years is nothing to sneeze at. She actually has a music background, which is more than Paula or JLo ever had before either got a deal making over-produced, synthesized dance tracks. I'd be surprised if either could even read a bar of music. And for the record, JLo's clothes were just as tight and probably more revealing (she has no problem showing us the headlights), the only difference is Mariah (and Christina both) have a penchant for tacky.

[Dragonlady]

And for the record, JLo's clothes were just as tight and probably more revealing (she has no problem showing us the headlights), the only difference is Mariah (and Christina both) have a penchant for tacky.

Are you saying that JLo's clothes aren't tacky? That cut to the navel green Versace outfit is the very definition of tacky. I don't recall Mariah ever appearing in a see-through top while wearing no bra. Just sayin'

[taf2002]

I love seeing what Christina & Mariah are wearing, i.e. what tacky thing they have come up with. Their imaginations know no limits. Sparkly panties in lieu of slacks or shorts? Check. Décollétes so low they are falling out? Check.

[orbitz]

Are you saying that JLo's clothes aren't tacky? That cut to the navel green Versace outfit is the very definition of tacky.

That green dress is considered iconic though.

[skatesindreams]

I'm going to reserve judgment until I see Mariah on the show...this intrigues me. Say whatever you want about her tight clothes and the deadpan speaking voice, but Mariah has an incredible singing voice (I don't always like the way the she uses it), perfect pitch, and has been a successful artist, writer, and producer. Twenty years is nothing to sneeze at. She actually has a music background, which is more than Paula or JLo ever had before either got a deal making over-produced, synthesized dance tracks.

This summarizes my thoughts.

[BigB08822]

Disagree Mariah is past her prime.

Please explain. Mariah Carey could do no wrong in the 90s. She was simply on top of the world, the biggest artist on Earth. You seem to think this holds true even today? Maybe vocally you don't think she is past her prime but since when do vocals actually matter in music these days? She isn't an Opera singer.

By the way, she does have new music coming out so this is probably less about money and more about re-establishing herself as an artist who can get hits.

[berthesghost]

Love the basket of puppies and 10 white kittens in the dressing room bit though. No past her prime diva is better than a bat shitcrazy past her prime diva!

[Dragonlady]

JLo was once scheduled to appear on the Marilyn Dennis Show which is a Canadian network talk show on CTV. JLo's contract for the appearance stipulated that the green room be painted white with all white furniture, fresh flowers - all white of course, and that a separate lounge room be available for her entourage, and then she cancelled on them at the last minute. On the upside, Ms. Dennis' rant about it all was FAR more entertaining than anything JLo could have done.

[taf2002]

Please explain. Mariah Carey could do no wrong in the 90s. She was simply on top of the world, the biggest artist on Earth. You seem to think this holds true even today? Maybe vocally you don't think she is past her prime but since when do vocals actually matter in music these days? She isn't an Opera singer.

By the way, she does have new music coming out so this is probably less about money and more about re-establishing herself as an artist who can get hits.

When I say that she is not past her prime I was talking about her voice. I still enjoy Tony Bennett but he can't hit all the notes anymore & all evidence says Mariah can.

Maybe Mariah doesn't want to do all the things that were required in the 90s to stay on top. She has kids now. But I believe she could have hits now if she wanted to & had good material.

My brother worked for a company in the 70s & 80s that provided the road crew for touring singers/bands. He said touring is so grueling & once past a certain point the money doesn't mean very much that megacts would demand silly things like only brown eggs or only white rooms just to prove to themselves that they were still stars. It wasn't that they were divas with people one-on-one.